Inspection reminder system having a periodically opened alarm nullified by switch actuation at all stations



March 31, 1964 M. SMITH ET AL 3,127,599

INSPECTION REMINDER SYSTEM HAVING A PERIODICALLY OPENED ALARM NULLIFIEDBY SWITCH ACTUATION AT ALL STATIONS Filed Sept. 29, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet1 F l G. 2

INVENTORJS MORRIS SMITH THEIR ATTORNEY.

vMarsh 31, 1964 M. SMITH ETAL 3,127,599

INSPECTION REMINDER SYSTEM HAVING A PERIODICALLY OPENED ALARM NULLIFIEDBY SWITCH ACTUATION AT ALL STATIONS v Filed Sept. 29, 1960 2Sheets-Sheet 2 ,f F I G. 3 38 i 72 r 7- 74 6 94 96 f INVENTORS MORRISSMITH ROBERT c. READ THEIR ATTORNEY.

United States Patent 3,127,599 INSPECTION REMINDER SYSTEM HAVING AFERHGDICALLY OPENED ALARM NULLIFIED BY SWITCH ACTUATION AT ALL STATIONSMorris Smith, Saclrville, New Brunswick, Canada, and Robert C. Read,Norwallr, (30:111., assignors to The Gordon Company, Inc., Norwalk,Conn, a corporation of Connecticut Filed Sept. 29, 1960, Ser. No. 59,343Claims. (Cl. 340-486) This invention relates to signal systems and moreparticularly to an inspection reminder system which is electricallytimed and controlled and includes both audible and visual signals.

One object of the invention is to provide a system which produces bothaudible and visual signals to remind an inspector of a task needingattention.

Another object is to provide an inspection reminder system whichproduces intermittent signals continuing until manually shut off, thusindicating the task has been attended to.

Another object is to provide an inspection reminder system having one ormore remote shut olf points and in which the signals continue until allthe remote shut olf points have been manually operated.

The system of the present invention has many uses, one of which is inconnection with the cleaning and servicing of toilets in roadsideservice stations. Since this work does not require the full time of theattendant, his other duties sometimes distract him and he fails toreturn to the servicing task for long periods of time. The advantage ofthe system of the present invention resides in the fact that thereminder alarm, set for any desired interval of time, continues tooperate at prescribed intervals, say every ten seconds, until the taskhas been performed and the system re-set for a new cycle by pressing abutton.

To this end, the system includes a motor driven camoperated switch whichcontrols the entire system. This switch is held closed during thegreater part of a cycle having a comparatively long period of time. Atthe end of the cycle, the switch is opened momentarily to de-energizethe system. This switch is connected in series through a normally closedrelay to a motor driven, cam-operated switch which is held open duringthe greater part of a cycle having a comparatively short period of time,at the end of which the switch closes momentarily to energize one ormore signalling devices, such as gongs and lights. The coil of thenormally closed relay is connected in series with one or more normallyopen relays, the coils of which are connected to one or more respectivepush button switches. When the push button switches are manipulated, thenormally open relays are energized and closed, thus energizing the coilof the normally closed relay and opening it to de-energize the shortcycle motor and switch thus stopping the operation of the gongs andlights. The normally open relays are arranged with holding contacts sothat after the push button switches have been manipulated they remainclosed, holding the normally closed relay open and consequentlypreventing the short cycle motor from operating the switch whichenergizes the gongs and lamps. This status continues until the end ofthe cycle when the long cycle switch is opened momentarily,de-energizing all the relays and allowing them to return to normal. Thelong cycle switch is then closed by its respective cam and motor,thereby energizing the short cycle switch and motor to operate the gongsand lights which continue until the push button switch or switches areoperated as above.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with otherand further objects thereof, reference is made to the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

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FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention.

PEG. 2 is a front elevation, with cover removed.

FIG. 3 is a schematic wiring diagram.

While it is understood that the various component parts can be disposedin any convenient manner, for the purpose of illustration, a maincabinet 1t? constructed with a hinged cover 12 contains the components.Timing devices having the proper cycles to suit the problem at hand mustbe used. Those chosen here to illustrate the invention should not beconstrued as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. If, forexample, a busy service station manager desires to maintain the toiletsin first class condition and decides to inspect them every hour, theinstallation of the present invention to signal every hour, both audiblyand visually, would greatly enhance the functioning of his plan.

An electric timing device 14 is used which comprises a motor 16 (seeFIG. 3), a cam 18 which makes one revolution per hour, and a switch 243which is operated by the cam 18. It will be noted that the cam 18 isdriven by the motor 16 which is energized by current from 115 volt powerlines 22 and 24, through leads 26 and 28. A fuse 3t) protects the motor16 from overload and a fuse 32 protects the entire system. The switch isconnected to the power line 22 by lead line 34 and to a motor 42 of asecond timing device generally indicated 44), through lines 36, 38 andswitch 44 of a normally closed relay 46, and lead line 43. The circuitis completed through the motor 42 by connecting to power line 24 throughlines 5t and 52. A fuse 54 serves to protect the motor 42 againstoverload. Besides the motor 42, the second timing device 40 consists ofa cam 56 driven by the motor 42 at the rate of six revolutions perminute, and a switch 53 which remains open for the greater part of thecam cycle. A lead line 60 connects from line 48 to one side of theswitch S8 and lead 62 connects the other side of the switch to a lamp 64and a gong 66. The circuit is com pleted through the lamp and gong byconnection through line 52 to 24. One side of the coil of the relay 4-6connects to the power line 24 through line 6%. The other side connectsto the switch 2% through a line 76, a switch 71 of a relay 72, thencethrough a line 74 and a second switch 75 of another relay 76, thencethrough lines 78, and 36. Another fuse 82 protects the relays fromoverload. A push button switch 84 is used to initially energize the coilof the relay 72 which then retains its energized condition throughholding contact 36. Similarly a push button 88 initially energizes therelay 76 which is held energized by contacts A standard plug 92 (FIG. 1)is attached to the end of the power cord for plug-in convenience. Thepush button switches are placed in remote positions. Switch 84 isconnected through lead wires 94 and 96 and switch 33 is connectedthrough wires 98 and 1%.

It will now become apparent that, in operation, after plugging into astandard volt convenience outlet, the motor 16 becomes energized anddrives the cam 18 counterclockwise at the rate of one revolution perhour, thus closing the switch 20 which energizes the motor 42 whichdrives the cam 56 of the second timing device 4% at the rate of sixrevolutions per minute. As the cam 56 rotates, the switch 58 is closedonce every revolution, as indicated by the detent in the cam, thusenergizing the gong 66 and the light 64 six times per minute. This is toalert the toilet maintenance man that it is time for inspection. Thiscontinues while the inspection of the first toilet is completed and themaintenance man then pushes a button 84 energizing the relay 72 andclosing the switch associated therewith, including the closing ofoperating contacts 71 and holding contacts 86. The signalling stillcontinues until the second button 88 (which is located 3 in the secondtoilet) is operated to energize the relay 76 and close switch 75 whichthen completes the circuit through the relay 4 6 which opens the switch44 interrupting power to the motor 42 and to the gong 66 and the light64.

After the motor 16 has driven the cam 18 through one revolution of onehours duration, the actuating member of the switch 20 drops momentarilyinto the detent of the cam 18 thus interrupting power to the entiresystem and allowing the relays to return to normal. Then as the cam 18rotates the switch 29 is closed, starting the cycle again.

While there have been described herein what are at present consideredpreferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that many modifications and changes may be madetherein Without departing from the essence of the invention. It istherefore to be understood that the exemplary embodiments areillustrative and not restrictive of the invention, the scope of which isdefined in the appended claims, and that all modifications that comewithin the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intendedto be included therein.

We claim:

1. An alarm inspection system for a plurality of inspection stationscomprising; a motor-operated switch which connects a source ofelectrical power to said system continuously except for periodic resetintervals; an alarm circuit which includes, in series connection, saidsource of power, a pair of normally closed contacts of an alarm relay, apair of motor-operated contacts, and a transducer which produces analarm when actuated by electrical power; a release circuit at each ofsaid stations for disabling the alarm circuit, each of said releasecircuits including a normally open release switch and a release relaywith the switch and relay Winding connected in series with saidmotor-operated switch and the source of power; each of said releaserelays including a pair of holding contacts and a pair of normally openoperating contacts, said operating contacts all connected in series withthe winding of said alarm relay and the source of power; and circuitmeans for operating said transducer at predetermined intervals when saidalarm relay contacts are closed.

2. An alarm inspection system for a plurality of inspection stationscomprising; a motor-operated cam switch which connects a source ofelectrical power to said system continuously except for periodic resetintervals; an alarm circuit which includes, in series connection, saidsource of power, a pair of normally closed contacts of an alarm relay, apair of motor-operated cam contacts, and at least one transducer whichproduces an alarm when the alarm circuit is closed; a release circuit ateach of said stations for disabling the alarm circuit, each of saidrelease circuits including a normally open release switch and a releaserelay with the release switch and relay winding connected in series withsaid motor-operated switch and the source of power; each of said releaserelays including a pair of normally open holding contacts and a pair ofnormally open operating contacts, said operating contacts all connectedin series with each other and with the winding of said alarm relay andthe source of power, whereby only the operation of all the releaseswitches actuates the alarm relay and prevents the alarm from operating.

3. An alarm inspection system as claimed in claim 2 wherein saidmotor-operated cam contacts complete a circuit through said transducer,the contacts of the alarm relay, and the source of potential; theduration of said completed circuit being less than ten percent of theduration the uncompleted circuit.

4. An alarm inspection system as claimed in claim 2 wherein saidmotor-operated cam switch disconnects the source of electrical powerfrom the alarm and reset circuits and permits all the contacts on thealarm and reset relays to normalize.

5. An alarm inspection system as claimed in claim 4 wherein saidmotor-operated cam switch disconnects said source of power for aduration which is less than ten percent of the duration of the connectedtime.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS990,434 Goldstein Apr, 25, 1911 2,559,746 Ahlberg et al. July 10, 19512,968,747 Shillington Jan. 17, 196 1

1. AN ALARM INSPECTION SYSTEM FOR A PLURALITY OF INSPECTION STATIONSCOMPRISING; A MOTOR-OPERATED SWITCH WHICH CONNECTS A SOURCE OFELECTRICAL POWER TO SAID SYSTEM CONTINUOUSLY EXCEPT FOR PERIODIC RESETINTERVALS; AN ALARM CIRCUIT WHICH INCLUDES, IN SERIES CONNECTION, SAIDSOURCE OF POWER, A PAIR OF NORMALLY CLOSED CONTACTS OF AN ALARM RELAY, APAIR OF MOTOR-OPERATED CONTACTS, AND A TRANSDUCER WHICH PRODUCES ANALARM WHEN ACTUATED BY ELECTRICAL POWER; A RELEASE CIRCUIT AT EACH OFSAID STATIONS FOR DISABLING THE ALARM CIRCUIT, EACH OF SAID RELEASECIRCUITS INCLUDING A NORMALLY OPEN RELEASE SWITCH AND A RELEASE RELAYWITH THE SWITCH AND RELAY WINDING CONNECTED IN SERIES WITH SAIDMOTOR-OPERATED SWITCH AND THE SOURCE OF POWER; EACH OF SAID RELEASERELAYS INCLUDING A PAIR